BIBLE CATECHISM, ARRANGED IN FORTY DIVISIONS: ALL THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS BEING IN THE Exact Words of Scripture: INTENDED FOR THE RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE BY W. F. LLOYD. London: Printed by H. Teape, Tower-hill. PUBLISHED BY J. OFFOR, 44, NEWGATE STREET; AND 1822. Price Two Shillings. PREFACE. IN selecting and arranging the following texts and subjects, I have been much struck with the vast variety and extent of those divine instructions, on all important subjects, which God has so munificently imparted to man in his holy Word. I have always considered it the principal object of a religious instructor to lead those whom he teaches, as nearly as possible, to the fountain head of divine truth. All human compositions are necessarily defective, and they are only excellent so far as they approximate to the divine standard. Teachers may feel a holy confidence as to the instructions they communicate, when they are enabled to declare "Which things we speak not in the words which man'a wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (I. Cor. 2. 13.) I may also observe that the plain and nervous language used in the English version of the Bible, appears to me exceedingly well adapted for the rising generation: it is generally understood; and its simple, dignified, forcible, and venerable style, render it a most appropriate medium for the communication of religious instruction. What knowledge can be so important to our youth as an acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures?" Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word." (119 P. 9.) " My heart's desire and prayer to God" for the young, is, that they may be blessed with a thoroughly scriptural education. May imitators of Timothy be found in all our schools, and in every family; to each of whom we may say: "From a child, thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (II. Tim. 3. 15.) I have endeavoured, in the ensuing pages, to select those texts which I thought most particularly calculated for the young. It has been my study throughout, to avoid every expression which could give offence to any body of evangelical Christians. I commend this little Work to the blessing of that God who has promised, " My word shall not return unto me void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (55 Is. 11.) I take this opportunity of remarking that it appears to me quite unnecessary, for the children to commit to memory the chapter and verses which state from whence the texts are selected, and which I have put in a parenthesis ; it will be enough for them to learn the holy words, which are of inspired authority. For the benefit of those children who are not sufficiently forward to learn the whole of this Catechism, I have published an abridgment, price Four Pence. W. F. L. |